“Some of the seized products – clothes and shoes – were donated to charities. Other products had to be destroyed as they were deemed harmful to public health,” he said.

“Due to the efforts of the municipality in coordination with the police and economic department, illegal pop-up markets have declined by 90% and have concentrated in the industrial zones. Illegal markets and vendors now target workers of low-income to buy cheap products at very low prices,” Al Suwaidi added.

He said the vendors are active on Fridays and public holidays. “They offer goods from unknown sources of origin. In most cases the food is expired or close to expiry and not suitable for human consumption, exposing buyers to health risks and food poisoning. The violators are slapped with fines up to Dh9,000 and will be doubled in case of repeating the violation.”

He warned consumers against buying things from these illegal markets because of its impact on public health. He urged the public to cooperate with municipality by reporting them on the hotline 993.